I don't have a problem with the city using this building... for now. The renovation needed to be done and the building needs tenants. However, the city should still make this building available for other potential tenants and be able to relocate if a desirable tenant/use is found. It's wasted on Tourism Hamilton in the long run.

Coming from someone who spent a lot of time in the abandoned Lister Block, the transformation is absolutely breathtaking. I really never could see that arcade brought back to life again. I really hope those restored storefronts are taken advantage of.

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"Above all, Hamilton must learn to think like a city, not a suburban hybrid where residents drive everywhere. What makes Hamilton interesting is the fact it's a city. The sprawl that surrounds it, which can be found all over North America, is running out of time."

Coming from someone who spent a lot of time in the abandoned Lister Block, the transformation is absolutely breathtaking.

While I worked at Kresges back in the day, I completely ignored the Lister. But seeing this transformation from the pics posted, I would consider making the trek in from Newmarket just to see it when it's complete.

Coming from someone who spent a lot of time in the abandoned Lister Block, the transformation is absolutely breathtaking. I really never could see that arcade brought back to life again. I really hope those restored storefronts are taken advantage of.

I haven't figured out the floorplans for retail yet? It seems the arcade(s?) have doors for small outlets, but the main floor plate looks like one large open space? Like big enough for a sit-down resto.

It's all still amazing to me as unlike you unfortunately I never got into this place, just saw photos (prolly from by you) and the exterior.

..still waiting to hear about the open house (I email them every week) LOL

I think that's their method of taking the building down one bit at a time. The 2x4s are there to support the remaining floor sections while one is cut out. When they're done the first unit they will alternately take down sections of the masonry wall and the floors of the next unit.

I hope to god a Fortinos locates on the ground floor. Wouldn't that be the ultimate?

Wouldn't it have been amazing (and by 'amazing' I mean Logical) had they put Condo/Lofts on the upper floors, w/ a grocery store at streetfront retail?
You know, cuz Downtown Hamilton certainly lacks office space and is overflowing with grocery stores (esp those at decent prices, open 7 days a week past 5pm).

Wouldn't it have been amazing (and by 'amazing' I mean Logical) had they put Condo/Lofts on the upper floors, w/ a grocery store at streetfront retail?
You know, cuz Downtown Hamilton certainly lacks office space and is overflowing with grocery stores (esp those at decent prices, open 7 days a week past 5pm).

Yep currently you have to drive out to Rymal Rd to get something resembling 24-hr grocery.

Either way, the downtown of a city of half a million people should have at *least* one 24 hour hour grocery store.

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"Above all, Hamilton must learn to think like a city, not a suburban hybrid where residents drive everywhere. What makes Hamilton interesting is the fact it's a city. The sprawl that surrounds it, which can be found all over North America, is running out of time."

Wouldn't it have been amazing (and by 'amazing' I mean Logical) had they put Condo/Lofts on the upper floors, w/ a grocery store at streetfront retail?
You know, cuz Downtown Hamilton certainly lacks office space and is overflowing with grocery stores (esp those at decent prices, open 7 days a week past 5pm).

More condos? No, I think we need more office space across the street from the ever-vacant Stelco Tower.